Augusta: Atunyote's major inspiration

During last week's Turning Stone Resort Championship, Ray Halbritter took every opportunity to say he hopes to make Atunyote Golf Club the "Augusta of the North." He certainly isn't the first person north of the Mason-Dixon Line to aspire to that golf nirvana. But, let's be honest, not many places can compare with Augusta National Golf Club, home of the Masters.

With that in mind, Post-Standard golf writer Chris Wagner, who has been to both places several times, takes a look at the advantages each has to offer. Granted, Augusta National has a 73-year head start on the Oneida Nation's courses. But as Halbritter, the Oneidas' representative and Turning Stone's CEO says, "We have the course, now we need to start building the legacy."

Course beauty

Atunyote:It's majestic. The former pasture has been turned into a golf palace that melds natural beauty (dead wood swamp) with man-made (waterfalls and gorges). It's better than anyone in Central New York could imagine.

Augusta:It's mystical. The former nursery with towering loblolly pines, colorful azaleas and dramatic elevation changes is one of golf's meccas. It can't be overstated. It's even better in person than you could imagine.

Welcoming driveway

Atunyote:Begins with regal Fantasy Island gate and continues with mile-long drive past numerous holes. Awe-inspiring.

Augusta:Magnolia Lane is formed by a canopy of big old Magnolia trees. Big deal.

Leaders

Atunyote:Run by get 'er done CEO Halbritter, who will welcome the public to Turning Stone 24/7.

Augusta:Run by get 'er done chairmans like Cliff Roberts, Hootie Johnson and now Billy Payne. Public welcome to watch one week a year.

The greens

Atunyote:Large, subtle, perfect, average in tour speed. They need to be firm to be threatening.

Augusta:Crowned, undulating, firm and fast as lightning. They require years of practice to master.

Signature hole

Atunyote:There are several candidates - Nos. 9, 11, 14 and 16 come to mind - but none yet stands out for its round-changing singularity. Why? None poses the threat of an over-and-out big number.

Augusta:The 155-yard 12th hole. Golden Bell is the best par 3 in the game, as well as the most photographed. The swirling winds, the creek, the danger, the drama. What more needs to be said?

Fairways

Atunyote:Wide fairways allow for a guilt-free driver on most holes. Good scoring is possible without the risk of a high number. At about the same time designer Tom Fazio was tightening Augusta National, he was designing Atunyote.

Augusta:Used to be a fairly open course with no rough. Fazio's "Tiger-proofing" makeovers since 2002 have made the holes unbearably long and the driving lanes brutally tight. Many argue it has taken the Sunday-charge excitement out of the course because it's so difficult to score.

Ray Halbritter vs. Rae's Creek

Atunyote:The CEO influences the look of all 18 holes.

Augusta:The creek influences play on Amen Corner's famous three-hole stretch.

The field

Atunyote:Flesch, Rollins, Armour III, Begay III.

Augusta:Woods, Mickelson, Furyk, Howell III.

Tickets Atunyote:Good buy. $10 for practice rounds, $35 for the weekend. Scalpers not a factor.

Augusta:Good luck. Better have had them in the family for generations. Scalped tickets will cost you four figures on the weekend.

Entertainment

Atunyote:Casinos, Kathy Griffin, ZZ Top, Larry the Cable Guy, fine dining, fine shopping, fine lodging, fine salmon-fishing helicopter rides all under one roof.

Augusta:There's a Hooters restaurant just down the road. How far did you say Atlanta is?

Victory

Atunyote:A win in Turning Stone's Resort Championship brings a $1.08 million paycheck and an exemption on the PGA Tour for two years.

Augusta:A win in the Masters brings a prized jacket of questionable hue, a lifetime exemption to play in the Masters and golf immortality.

The towns

Atunyote:Technically in Vernon, but we call it Verona. Take your pick. Each is proud to be a cow town.

Augusta:Sleepy antebellum city comes to life once a year. Otherwise, it's a college town.

Wednesday tradition

Atunyote:Normal PGA Tour-style pro-am features such local celebrities as Syracuse basketball coach Jim Boeheim.

Augusta:Par 3 competition brings back such golf icons as Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus.

Seasons of change

Atunyote:Played at the end of summer, signaling the passing of another the golf season.

Augusta:Played at the beginning of April, signaling the beginning of another golf season.

Media treatment

Atunyote:Parking varies from right outside main tent to 2 miles away in main spectator lot. Entrance for many means mile-long walk through the course with heavy equipment. Seating is pick-your-own in temporary tent. Food consists of fantastic hot lunch every day. Yum.

Augusta:Parking right outside main gate. Permanent building houses hundreds of journalists in amphitheater setting (sir, you're sitting in row G, seat 16). Dining consists of Krispy Kreme donuts in the morning and various sandwiches (think pimiento cheese spread) on Wonder bread every day. Yuck.

Chris Wagner can be reached at 470-3036 or cwagner@syracuse.com.

© 2007 The Post-Standard. Used with permission.